The Portland daily press., 1887-01-31
Charles Plckard IlsIey.

A telegram received In this city from Cam
bridge, Mass, by Mr.. c. G. Tolman, Satur-
day evening" announced the death Of Charles
Pickard nsley The announcement was a
great shock 10 the family, as they had every
reason to believe that he was improving in
health. Dec. 3Oth, 1886, he wrote letter to
his old friend. Deputy Collector Lewis B.
Smith, in which he spoke Of his sufferings
from dyspepsia. About two weeks ago, Mrs.
Tolman received a letter from Miss nsley.
saying her father had been suffering from a
severe cold, and was unable to enjoy cake
which kind friends had sent him in honor Of
his birthday. Friday, another letter from
Miss Ilsley stated that her father was better
and had taken some solid food, and this an
nouncement was followed by the Saturday
telegram.
Charles Pickard Ilsley was born in Port
Parker Ilsley, born June 10th, 1863, and
Elizabeth Smith Ilsley, born in 1774 Their
children were Charlotte, Edward. Enoeh,
David, Ferdinand, Godfrey, Charles, Mary,
Horatio and Frederick. The Rev. Horatio
Ilsley Of South Freeport is the only survi-
vor.
Charles was educated in the Portland pub
lie schools, and afterwards learned the print
er's trade. He had fine taste in literature,
and was poet of taste and fancy. :IIe con-
tributed freely to the columns Of the news
papers, and in 1886 he started the first morn
ing paper ever issued in this city-the Port
land Daily Times. At that date the Argus
and Advertiser were issued in the evening,
but they soon changed to morning papers,
and consequently the Times came to an end.
In April, 1887, Mr.. Ilsley began the publica-
tion of the Portland Transcript, and was
connected with that paper for about ten
years. His literary tastes were fully dis
played in the columns Of the paper, and al
though its proprietorship changed into other
hands the paper has ever since followed the
ideas Of its originator, and today is one Of
the leading literary papers Of the country.
After his connection with the Transcript
ceased he still contributed to the papers Of
the city, and when the Evening Courier was
established in 1860. he Was city editor for a
considerable period. During all these years
Mr. Ilsley contributed to the leading papers
Of the country under the nom de plume Of
"Pic," and his researches into the early his
tory Of Maine afforded him much material
which he woye into most interesting sketch
es, the best of which appeared in published
volume entitled Forest and Shore" which
met with large sale. From this book many
facts regarding the early history Of the State
have since been used by other writer's.
1t had been the intention of Mr.. Ilsley to
70 a Of I.t4k Of he
he made up his mind TO attempt the task Hon.
William Goold announced his intention Of
writing Portland in the Past" and Mr.
Ilsley renounced his intention. His latest
literary work Of importance was the :ode
written for Portland's centennial, which will
be found in Mr.. HulIs History Of Port
las.s,s. that ha
has collected enough material, however, to
afford a valuable history.
Mr. Ilsley was identified with almost all
that was going on in Portland up TO the time
he left the city. He was a devoted adherent
to the old fire department, and iran with
the machine" in the ranks CT Casco, No. 1.
He was full Of military ardor, and appeared
on parade in the uniform Of the famed Port
land Rifle Corps. He was quite pedestrian
ana IN 1885 was one OF party OF SIX VINO
started to walk from Portland to the top Of
Mount Washington. He was the only one
who accomplished the feat, and he published
brochure giving all the details of the trip.
He was passionately fond Of music, and be.
longed to the "Mocking Bird Club" the
Sacred Music Society, and the st. Pauls and
High street church choirs, singing bass. He
was honorary correspondent of the Venera-
BILE Gunner Club, and never missed theil
summer campaign at Cape Elizabeth. He
was good, kind, whole-souled, genial man,
of many talents, and he has lived to a good
old age.
His first wife was Mary E. Barnes, by
whom he had one child, Mrs. c. o. TolmaT
of this city. His second wife was Saral
Bartol, by wbNW he had one child, Mis-
Louise E. Ilslt with whom he resided il
Cambridge.